Malaysia so rich , think again and see why the Malays are living like beggers

Petronas scraps US$29b western Canada LNG project

ALGARY (Alberta), July 26 ― Malaysian oil company Petronas scrapped a proposed C$36 billion (RM123.2 billion) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in western Canada due to weak prices, in a blow to both its global ambitions and Canada's hopes of becoming a major LNG player.

Pacific NorthWest LNG in British Columbia was meant to produce 12 megatonnes per year and spur further development of Canada's largest shale play, but industry observers said the move was widely expected given years of delay.

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“It is a good decision not to invest in this project which is expensive and risky,” said Subbu Bettadapura, senior director, Asia Pacific, Frost and Sullivan. “Only question is why they took so long to come to this decision.”

Analysts had been skeptical about the project's prospects given current low gas prices and constraints facing state-run Petronas, which has been cutting costs to deal with lower profits and cash flow.

The decision is the latest setback for Canada's energy industry, already bruised by international oil firms selling off around US$23 billion in Canadian energy assets this year alone.

“We have a window of opportunity to develop BC's LNG industry, but the next several years will be critical,” said Gillian Robinson, spokeswoman for the BC LNG Alliance. “We risk losing thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in benefits if B.C. does not have diversified access to markets.”

Pacific NorthWest LNG received approval from the Canadian government last year, but Petronas delayed its final investment decision on what would have been its biggest foreign investment.

Price tag

The C$36 billion price tag included around C$11 billion for the export terminal, C$6.5 billion in pipelines, the C$5.5 billion Petronas paid for Progress Energy and its natural gas assets and around C$2 billion a year expected to be spent on producing natural gas.

TransCanada Corp, which was contracted to build the pipeline connecting gas wells to the LNG terminal, said it will be reimbursed for costs associated with the project. It had spent C$500 million as of April, spokesman Shawn Howard said.

Petronas had no immediate comment when asked about TransCanada's statement.

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co (Japex) said it would take a loss of about C$102 million ($82 million) due to the scrapping of the project.

Petronas had planned to produce its own gas to supply Pacific NorthWest LNG, rather than buying it from other producers, but no LNG demand means firms like Painted Pony Petroleum and Seven Generations Energy will continue to see low gas prices, analysts said.

“The demise of the LNG industry in Western Canada means that Western Canadian gas will largely remain captive to the oversupplied North American market,” BMO Capital Markets analyst Randy Ollenberger said in a note.

Of more than a dozen projects proposed for British Columbia, only the C$1.6 billion privately held Woodfibre project has so far been given the green light by its developers.

Last July Royal Dutch Shell and partners pushed back a final investment decision on their proposed LNG Canada project, citing global industry challenges.

Michelle Mungall, British Columbia's energy minister, said she will be calling other LNG companies to reassure them her government is ready to work with them, but BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver released a statement saying the future does not lie in “chasing the fossil fuel economy.”

The ruling New Democratic Party, which formally took power this month, is backed by the environmentalist Green Party. Its rise has fueled uncertainty about energy development in the province.

A spokesman for Canada's Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, said Petronas' move was a business decision.

Focus shift

Pacific NorthWest LNG board chairman Anuar Taib said in a statement that Petronas and partners would continue to develop natural gas assets in Canada.

“We are disappointed that the extremely challenging environment brought about by the prolonged depressed prices and shifts in the energy industry have led us to this decision,” Taib said.

However, the company also appears to have shifted its focus to the $27 billion Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) in southern Malaysia, that got a $7 billion investment boost from Saudi oil giant Aramco in February.

With Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak expected to call elections in coming months, the state firm may also be more inclined to push ahead domestic projects, said Bettadapura.

“They would want to make sure the economy grows here and they have a good report card before the elections. Petronas would not want to squander away its capital,” he said. ― Reuters

Laughter of the day - NO.1 IN CORRUPTION? MALAYSIAN POLICE RATED ‘BEST’ IN ASEAN REGION – ZAHID

KUALA LUMPUR – The Royal Malaysian Police has been rated by an international body as the best police force in Asean, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister said that despite the recognition and the reduction of the country’s crime index by some 47%, there was still negative public perception towards the police.


However, he did not give further details on which international body gave the rating.

“The Royal Malaysian Police, according to the ratings is acknowledged as the best police in Asean.

“This is an international recognition but what is the perception? In my estimation only 20% are positive about the police,” he said in his speech at the Addressing Perception on Safety and Security forum here on Wednesday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also said he decided to extend the discussion time with the audience at the forum by one hour to gauge the sentiments of the people towards the men in blue.

He pointed out that the forum was a valuable platform for the Government and its agencies to engage with stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations.





“We would like to create confidence among the people in order to change the perception.

“We must create a situation where people are safe and feel safe, and as Home Minister I will do my best,” he said.

He said the police should find a friendlier approach to deal with the public apart from increasing its engagement with them to better understand the problems and find solutions.

“This will be our approach. It will take time to change perceptions and this effort cannot be done only by the police,” he said.

– ANN

Gov't takes 'child conceived out of wedlock' case to Federal Court - A very vengeful Government out to destroy a kids life before it starts

The government and the National Registration Department has filed an application for leave to appeal to the Federal Court over the Court of Appeal's landmark decision that children conceived out of wedlock can bear the surname of the father.

The appellate court also decided that an edict on this by the National Fatwa Committee does not have the force of law.

Lawyer Nizam Bashir, who represents the child and his parents, said the government had already filed the application for leave (permission).

“That is where the case stands now. Let us see how it goes,” he told Malaysiakini today, adding that he thought it was a "reasonable judgment" by the Court of Appeal...

Read Below

In a landmark decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that a child conceived out of wedlock can take on his or her father's surname, and that the edict on this by the National Fatwa Committee does not have the force of law.


Justice Abdul Rahman Sebli, who wrote the unanimous decision, said the jurisdiction of the National Registration Department (NRD) director-general is a civil one and is confined to determine whether the father had fulfilled the requirements of Section 13A(2) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act (BDRA).

This covers all children conceived out of wedlock, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

The ruling was made in an appeal involving a seven-year-old child, who was born five months and 24 days (or five months and 27 days according to the Islamic Qamariah calendar) after his parents married.

In 2003, the National Fatwa Committee decided that a child conceived out of wedlock (“Anak Tak Sah Taraf”) cannot carry the name (“tidak boleh dinasabkan”) of the person who claims to be the father of the child, if the child was born less than six months of the marriage...

Think next when you leave your car overnight at the service center

Got this from Facebook and please pass around

Beware of Malaysia franchise car service centres for continental car manufacturers as these service centres are running a racket of replacing car spares with used car parts when cars are left there overnight . Venerable cars are with expired manufacturers warranty . When car gives problems and at the service centres the spares are replaced by the second spare parts taken from cars and charge for new parts. The brand new spares are then sold to fences . These thievery and cheating is organised . The gang at service centre gets 35% of the value of the spares from the fences . Turn over daily is in the hundreds of thousand ringgits . Venerable car makes are lower end Peugeot, Volkswagen , mini coopers , local assemblers of BMW . More exposed later on

Yes a very confused Malaysian Indian Muslim family in Malaysia

A very confused Kimma family wants to be a Tamil at home and a Malay Bumiputra outside home. Just sold their mother and finding another family member to be sold also


As a Malaysian, the current debate about the meaning of the term "Bumiputera" moves me greatly. As an Indian Hindu, and a minority in this country, I wonder if this term is a boon or bane? A curse or a blessing?

I have many Indian Muslim friends, and the current debate is dividing their community too.

Many Indian Muslims practice Malay customs and speak Malay. A significant portion wishes to be considered "Bumiputera" to enjoy special privileges that the rest of us are not eligible for.

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Why vote for the opposition?
There are others, however, in the Indian Muslim community who reject that, and feel that their Indian heritage, culture and tradition is something they do not want to sacrifice.

I do not blame those who seek Bumiputera status. Why wouldn’t they want it if it could help their children get to university and study the course they want at an affordable price, buy a house more easily, open their own business with government assistance, et cetera? I would like to have it too!

After all, when a family cuts a cake, doesn't every member deserve a slice?

At the end of the day, we are all Malaysians. And we are all hungry. Let us all have a slice of the cake, please.

The poem below depicts an imagined conversation between a Malaysian Indian Muslim father and his young son.

Are We Bumiputera?

Daddy,
What does the word “Bumiputera” mean?
You were arguing about it last week,
That we should be regarded as “Bumis”,
And the prime minister must give what we seek.

You say that we are Indian,
When you speak to a relative.
But to officials we are Malay,
You become very “creative”.

You always tell me not to lie,
But isn’t that what you do?
You say we need to do this,
But where will it take you?

You say don’t speak Tamil,
In front of “Outsiders”,
But that’s what we speak
At home with “Insiders”.

You say we need to be seen,
With “Bumiputera” qualification.
That we are “sons of the soil”;
Is that your justification?

I know we are devout Muslims,
But that is just about religion.
What about race and heritage,
Isn’t this blatant discrimination?

What about the other Malaysians,
And natives of this beautiful land,
Here for so many generations, yet
Cast out of the “Bumiputera” band?

Son,
I can’t answer your questions,
Though they make perfect sense.
I really don’t know what to say,
In my country’s defence.

The meaning of this phrase,
Is neither here nor there.
Not defined in the Constitution,
It’s vague; clarified nowhere.

But it matters; it really does.
Life for you will be much easier.
You will be given preferences,
Though others may be better.

You can study what you want,
In a public university; you shall
Not fall under an unfair quota;
Bang your head against a wall.

Your job prospects will be brighter,
Ventures into business assisted,
Acquisitions of property cheaper,
Your successes loudly trumpeted.

There are many more advantages,
I cannot speak of them all here.
One day you will realise yourself,
All these values we hold so dear.

Thus “Bumiputera” we hope to be,
We have the right, please trust me.
As for the “Others”, please don’t worry,
Justice and Equality, not theirs to see.

A REAL WARNING FOR MALAYSIA: AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY BUBBLE FUELLED BY CHINA BUYERS – GET OUT NOW, BEFORE IT BURSTS

The land down under was a great place to invest, especially its property orreal estate. Parents from neighbouring Asian countries have been pouring billions of dollars snapping up properties – either for investment or for their children’s education. Chinese parents love sending their kids to a foreign country to further their education, and Australia is one of the top destinations.

The impact of Chinese buyers on the real estate market in Australia has been nothing but impressive. But it wasn’t the property market alone that has benefited from the Chinese hot money. Those rich kids from mainland China brought along their buying power, buying everything under the sun – cars, clothing, handbags, sunglasses and whatnot – everything designer.


They’re no longer what the Aussie used to call “the Chinese immigrants” or refugees looking for a better life in Australia. Students spending US$16,000 on a handbag is a common trend. The latest influx of wealthy Chinese who have sent their children to Australian universities means the local property market also experienced tremendous sales.

Rich Chinese Students Shopping at Gucci Australia

After a multi-year boom, the cost of an average home in the country now sits at 669,700 Australian dollars (US$529,000; £407,000; RM2.26 million). Eventually, the musical chairs will have to stop. And according to researchers at the Swiss bank, UBS, the property market in Australia is just too hot to handle; therefore, the bubble could burst anytime now.

What the Australian housing market needs is a little push in the form of interest rates hikes by the country’s central bank – Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) – and voila, it could trigger a crash. The Australian government data shows the growth in residential property prices at 10.2% year on year for the 2017 March quarter. So what’s the problem here?

The problem here is that the housing starts tumbling 19% in the first quarter of the year and May’s mortgage approvals also plunged 20%. Recently, the Turnbull government said they are prepared to further intervene in the housing market, if the federal budget’s housing package fails to calm rising house prices. Effectively, the Australian government is equally concerned of a bubble burst.

Australia Property Market - House Sold

Everyone agrees that Australian properties have become too ridiculously expensive, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, and housing prices have stalled. Clearly, this is the first recipe that what will happen next isn’t going to be pretty. But certain people refuse to use the word “collapse”. In fact, they argue that Australia has never experienced a “crash” in housing market.

d, they prefer to use the word “correction”, where property prices go down slightly – in an orderly manner. Additionally, they argued, the unemployment isn’t terrible that it could trigger a wave of forced home sales, even if the government is reckless enough to raise interest rates. And they couldn’t find any reason why the Turnbull government would be dumb enough to do it.

The funny thing is, that was how they argued about the U.S. property market, just before the 2008 subprime crisis exploded. The fact is the longer that prices boom, the closer they get to a correction (if that’s the word you like instead of “a crash”). AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver has forecast the price growth to slow this year, and home prices in Sydney and Melbourne to drop 5-10% next year.

Reserve Bank of Australia

Like any governments too scare to poke the beehives, the Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate on hold at a record low 1.5%. But the government couldn’t ignore the reality that they aren’t convinced that the labour market is strong enough to begin thinking about tightening rates. In the meantime, the growth in housing debt continues to skyrocket.

CoreLogic Australia head of research Tim Lawless said the RBA was actually “stuck between a rock and hard place”. The Australian government could not afford to push the official interest rate higher just to slow house price growth in two cities if that would mean damaging the broader economy. Of course, hardcore property speculators and investors disagree a crash would happen.

Author, investor and university lecturer Peter Koulizos said there was no need to panic about housing affordability, let alone a crash, and he questioned how many buyers remembered the days of double-digit home loan interest rates two decades ago. He said – “Housing affordability today is better than it was in the 1980s and 1990s when interest rates were 17.5%.”

Australia Booming Property Market Real Estate - Cnstruction Sites

Well, since the Reserve Bank of Australia isn’t going to raise its rate anywhere near 17.5%, why was Governor Philip Lowe then so damn worry about raising the interest rate? That’s because household debt is too “high” relative to incomes, making it likely that many Australians would respond to a market correction with a “sharp correction in their spending”.

Yes, the chain reaction is scary. The amount of debt that Australians carry, their low savings rate, their approach to debt (happy go lucky), and their high levels of consumption means if the Reserve Bank interest rate went up from 1.5% to 3.5% (still miles away from 17.5%), that could cause a lot of pain to Australia. The Australians are reaching the tipping point despite enjoying easy money.

Australian households owed debt in the March quarter equal to 190% of their yearly disposable income – a new all-time high. If salaries or the value of homes fall, many families – and the banks they owe – will be hurt. Moody’s, a ratings agency, recently warned that Australian households are leveraged to about the same degree as those in Ireland before its property market crashed in 2007.

Australia Sydney

In fact, not even the Americans, just before it plunged much of the world into economic chaos back in 2008, had a debt-income ratio as high as Australia’s current 190%. A year before the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis, the U.S. household debt was estimated to be close to 140% only. Data from the Reserve Bank confirmed that Australia’s debt mountain is largely due to soaring property prices.

Citibank predicts that property investment could fall by nearly 6% in 2018. A recent poll found that the majority of non-homeowners worry that they will never own a place. Last month, the Swiss-based Bank for International Settlements warned that Australia’s surge in household indebtedness was likely to constrain future economic growth and increase the nation’s susceptibility to another crisis.

The government hates to admit it but tax breaks and popular interest-only loans have encouraged speculators and even foreign investors to buy houses and leave them empty, and Australian property is seen as a safe haven for Chinese riches. While the wealthy Chinese couldn’t care less about overheating property market, the same cannot be said about local Australians.

Australians Looking at SOLD Ads for Housing

Hence, the good news is the Australian housing debt is heavily skewed towards the wealthy top 20%. That is the only different from what occurred in the United States in the run-up to the subprime crisis. Still, the bad news remains that those mortgages are eating up the peoples’ retirement. One way or another, the bubble is going to burst. The Australian government might just (suddenly) raise interest rates.

– Finance Twitter

End is very near for UMNO in Malaysia

IN UMNO, A COVERT MOVE TO OUST NAJIB GATHERS STEAM: IN PUBLIC, DIVISION LEADERS SMILE & SWEAR SUPPORT. IN PRIVATE, THEY PREPARE TO JUMP TO DR M’S BERSATU ONCE THEY HAVE WON THEIR SEATS IN GE14 UNDER UMNO’S UMBRELLA
Politics | July 27, 2017 by | 0 Comments

A friend with the opposition tip-off political movement within UMNO to oust Najib. He believes there is justified reasons.

It seemed almost similar to the thinking of someone close to Tun Dr Mahathir that facts do not matter but the (claimed) principle justified. Whatever principle, it is mere excuse for power and self serving economic interest.


That tip-off came late because it’s long known Dato Husni Hanazlah is involved. Rosli Md Sah FB here revealed the UMNO division officials confer in Perth. Few months ago, there was a Bandung pow wow involving Perak UMNO and PPBM leaders.


 Rosli Mohd. Sah

Follow · 25 July near Ampang ·






Apa cerita ‘Gerakan KUB dan TKUB’ yang berhimpun di Perth baru2 ni dengan pemergian mereka ditaja sepenuhnya oleh seseorang demi memalukan dan menggulingkan Najib Abdul Razak.

Jadi ke nak melompat ke Parti Cap Bunga sebaik2 nama dicalonkan, atau tunggu selepas menang setelah UMNO-BN atau PAS kempen guna dana parti utk mereka. Atau sebaik2 dicalonkan, akan tarik diri dan bagi kemenangan percuma kepada Pakatan Harapan?

PAS dah kena dengan PAN. Nampaknya UMNO pula akan kena dengan Cap Bunga!

What’s the story ‘ motion kub and tkub ‘ that assemble in Perth baru2 this and and and…

What was our April posting, “PPBM’s devious and dishonest politics” about then?

As we approach the general election, the distinction between truth and lies seemed irrelevant. The campaign is going to be dirty and dirtier, or rather bloody ugly. It will be far worse and tricky than yesterday’s skirmish between UMNO and PPBM Youth in front of PWTC.

There will be more expose similar to yesterday’s here on Ann Clwyd and Pergau-arms deal in the early 90s. It would be Mahathir’s one and only 1MDB slander against Najib versus encyclopedic volumes of his wrongdoing. Anyone interested, go to Roslan Latif FB here.

Yesterday, Dato Najib fired a shot at Mahathir in a language unlike his gentlemenly self. It was in a tune that is music longed for in decades. Like forex RCI, the open secrets in the past and flocks of elephants long roaming in the room need be addressed with honesty.

Cracking down on crony capitalism

In front of an international crowd, Najib spoke frankly of the past cronyism and corruption practises of Mahathir. The Malay Mail Online reported:

Before international investors, Najib denounces Dr M’s legacy

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

Tuesday July 25, 2017
10:42 AM GMT+8

UPDATED: July 25, 2017
12:07 PM GMT+8

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 ― Speaking before the international business community here today, Datuk Seri Najib Razak denounced the legacy of his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as being rife with cronyism and corruption.

Najib rarely uses international business platforms to criticise his political foes but today the Umno president said it was necessary to appeal to investors to avoid placing faith in an Opposition bloc led by a man with a track record for “cutting corners” and rolling out policies that only benefited his close allies.

“This government..will always be straight with the people and we will always do the right by the people,” Najib said in his keynote address at Invest Malaysia 2017, a private event for investors.

“We will always put their interests first, from economic welfare to security even if it’s not the most popular thing to do..this is also one of the reasons I am not very popular with that certain nonagenarian.

“Under his leadership many corners were cut, and the Malaysian people had to pay a very high price so that a few of his friends benefitted,” the prime minister added.

Najib has increasingly targeted Dr Mahathir since the latter began a campaign to remove him, which included resigning from Umno, forming an Opposition party, and becoming chairman of the Pakatan Harapan pact.

Continuing with his salvo against the former PM, Najib said today his government was undoing much of the damage caused by Dr Mahathir’s policies, such as by “cracking down on crony capitalism”.

Dr Mahathir had a preference for trickle-down economics that favoured select businessmen and companies, but which ended up concentrating wealth in a handful of elites.

“No more sweetheart deals. No more national follies kept going to stroke the ego of one man,” the BN chairman said.
In case any sceptics wish to refute Najib, they could name names in Rocky’s here.

Thus far the alleged cronies are hardly a shadow to Mahathir’s proxy empire builders such as Vincent Tan, Ananda Krishnan, Arumugam, and Francis Yeoh, to name a few.

YTL-paid Mahathir smear campaign



Najib revealed to the international audience to be cautious of Mahathir-led smear campaign through allegedly YTL-funded international PR agency and Soros linked foregn media.

The report continues below:

Najib also warned of a campaign to discourage the business community from supporting his government through what he described as deliberate “misinformation” by the Opposition.

The BN chairman accused the Opposition of starting a drive to sabotage the economy through smear tactics that are often reported by pro-opposition press.

“There has in fact been a concerted campaign to send such misinformation overseas to damage Malaysia’s economy for their own selfish political objectives.

“So if you receive these smears, or you read it in publications that do not check facts properly, please beware”.

The prime minister previously asserted that political rivals were aiming to undermine the economic success of his government in order to generate political support.

But Najib said they have been unsuccessful as Malaysia’s economy continued to grow robustly and draw in investments.

He noted Malaysia’s GDP has grown at an average of 4 per cent annually since he took office in 2009. This year alone trade increased to 24 per cent or RM430 billion compared to the same period last year.

Najib said the data proved investors remain confident in his government.
Reported by Bernama in The Malaysian Insight here, he said:

“All this can point to only one conclusion, namely, our economy continues to prosper and we are stronger than ever as a result of the reforms and programmes the government has put in place,” he said.

“The business community wants the certainty of knowing the government is committed to the necessary reforms and to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, transparency, accountability, and good regulations.”
No former leader style cover-up for 1MDB


True gentleman he is, Najib admitted to the the mistakes of 1MDB. TMI reported:

PM admits to lapses in 1MDB governance

Noel Achariam
Published on 25 Jul 2017 11:36AM

PRIME Minister Najib Razak today admitted there were clear lapses in corporate governance in state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), but said he would not pour more money, unlike a predecessor.

In a clear reference to mentor-turned-nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he said he had ordered “unprecedented” investigations into the 1MDB scandal.

“However, rather than bury our heads in the sand, we ordered investigations into the company at a scale unprecedented in our nation’s history, rather than funnel money after to cover up any issues 1MDB might have faced, the model embraced by a former leader.

“I instructed the rationalisation of the company,” Najib said in his speech at the Invest Malaysia Conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the rationalisation was progressing well as many of the assets formerly owned by 1MDB were thriving.

Citing the Tun Razak Exchange as an example, Najib said one only needs to drive by to see the progress of the new construction site.

While there are numerous investigations under way around the world, including three civil suits filed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), Singapore is the only country to have prosecuted those involved in 1MDB, chaired by Najib.

The DoJ moved to seize another US$540 million (RM2.3 billion) in assets allegedly bought with money stolen from 1MDB, bringing the misappropriated figure from 1MDB to US$4.5 billion.

However, Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing and the Malaysian authorities have cleared him.

Najib said while there were issues at 1MDB, it was certain politicians who blew them out of proportion while trying to sabotage the company in a bid to topple the government.

“If 1MDB hadn’t been around they would have chosen another line of attack to illegitimately try to change the government.” – July 25, 2017.
Reuters reported Najib asking investors to move past 1MDB as economy strengthens. The full speech is available in The Star here.

Not as deadly

The words spoken by Najib once cost an UMNO Youth leader his position and ISA detention. Mahathir will not be taking it lying down. It will be a fight to the death.

That is if Mahathir does not catch cold. He maybe a vicious fighter in the political arena. But a cold can be deadly to him. He is heard to have got one recently and cancelled few events.


Maybe it is an excuse to avoid a rebel faction in PPBM.

Mahathir had to get Mukhriz to announce stopping Deklarasi Rakyat. It is as though he is evading the 1MDB issue that was the bulk of the declaration by a gang of past Kleptocrats desperately “minta nyawa” from the opposition.

In the past, Mahathir would kill off any rebels within his fold. This time he seemed to dare not. Losing his killer touch or buying time?

– http://anotherbrickinwall.blogspot.my/

62 3 0 66 Ignore anti-vaccine preachers, Muslims told

Perak mufti says parents have a religious obligation to get their children inoculated even if vaccines are tainted.

Harussani-Zakaria-vaccinePETALING JAYA: Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria has urged Muslims to ignore preachers who speak against inoculation against diseases.

Speaking to FMT, he said parents had a religious obligation to get their children inoculated even if the vaccines were tainted with impurities, as some preachers have claimed.
“People should listen to what we the religious authorities have decided,” he said.
“We have even issued a fatwa on this matter.
“We have stated previously that it is necessary for children to be vaccinated regardless of whether the vaccines contain impurities.”

He added that people should ignore dubious information shared on social media against immunisation.

He said parents must ensure that their children are given the necessary injections to prevent them from contracting tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria and other diseases.
In a statement in April last year, Harussani said those who rejected the vaccinations were going against God’s injunctions.
Early this week, the health ministry said that the majority of parents who refused vaccination for their children in 2016 were from Perak, Terengganu and Pahang.


“They are unsure if the vaccines are halal or haram,” said Rozita Rahma, the assistant director of the ministry’s family health development division.

“Other than questioning whether there is porcine DNA in the vaccines, they fear that they contain prohibited substances or chemicals such as mercury.”

A study by the ministry found that Perak topped the list with 285 objections, followed by Terengganu (233), Pahang (178), Kedah (172) and Selangor (151).

It found that parents cited either religious reasons or fear of the risk of autism.
Some of the apprehension stemmed from information disseminated over the internet by groups associated with the anti-vaccine movement, often referred to as anti-vaxxers.
During the first six months of this year, the ministry recorded more than 800 cases of parents refusing vaccinations for their children.

Meanwhile, Selangor mufti Tamyes Abdul Wahid urged the health ministry to educate the public on the contents of the vaccines to curb irrational fears.

“The ministry should explain to the public what the contents of the vaccines are, as well as what the consequences would be if they refused to get their children immunised,” he said.
He said his religious position was that Muslims had the option to accept or reject vaccination.

Pathologist acquitted of misusing hospital equipment

SHAH ALAM, July 27 — The Sessions Court here today acquitted and discharged Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital (HATTM) pathologist, Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran on six charges of using HATTM equipment without the knowledge of the hospital.

Judge Slamat Yahya also acquitted and discharged former HATTM assistant lab technician Yazid Lamin, 47, on three counts of abetting Dr Kunaseegaran, 54, by taking out the HATTM pathological laboratory equipment without the hospital’s knowledge.

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The court made the decision after being satisfied that the defence had cast reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case.

Dr Kunaseegaran, who is being remanded at the Sungai Buloh Prison near here, has also been charged with abetting seven men in the murder of Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais, two years ago.

On the six counts, Dr Kunaseegaran was charged with using equipment belonging to HATMM which included a Microtome’, ‘Microtome Rotary System’ and ‘Circular Parafin Floating Bath’ without the hospital’s knowledge, at No 23 and No 26 Galeri Empire, Jalan Empayar via Jalan Sultan Ibrahim, Klang near here in June 2010 and April 2012.

The charges were framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment up to five years and whipping, and liable to be fined, if found guilty.

Meanwhile, Yazid, who is also a former military warrant officer, was charged with abetting Dr Kunaseegaran by taking out the hospital’s equipment, among them a Thermo Shandon Finesse E+ Microtome and a Leica Microtome Rotary System without the hospital’s knowledge.

The offences were allegedly committed at Clinipath (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, No 23, Galeri Empire, Jalan Empayar, Off Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim/KU 1, Klang, in June 2010.

Yazid, who had previously served 25 years in the Armed Forces, was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 403 of the same Act, which carries a jail term of up to five years and whipping and liable to a fine, upon conviction.

In his judgment, Judge Slamat said after reviewing the evidence of all the prosecution witnesses, exhibits and defence of the two accused, the court found the prosecution had failed to prove who had brought the three equipment to the laboratory.

“Both accused denied giving instructions or moving the equipment, in fact, there was no evidence to prove that the two accused had moved the equipment. There was no basis to show that all the equipment were properly registered at HATMM and failure of the 12th prosecution witness (registration staff) to do so made him a witness who was not credible.

“The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were also consistent with the defence of the two accused that the equipment were used for training purposes, hence, despite the fact that the defence of both accused were not supported by other defence witnesses, the court is satisfied that their defence had raised reasonable doubts in the prosecution’s case,” he said.

The prosecution was conducted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) DPP Mohammed Heikal Ismail while Dr Kunaseegaran and Yazid were represented by lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent. — Bernama

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Malaysian Diana Chan wins Masterchef Australia trophy

Monday, 24 July 2017 | MYT 10:33 PM
Malaysian Diana Chan wins Masterchef Australia trophy

BY S. INDRAMALAR


PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Diana Chan took home the Masterchef Australia trophy in a nail-biting finale on Monday night.

The Melbourne-based cook beat her competitor, Ben Ungermann in the closely fought final. She walks away with a trophy, A$250,000 and a regular column in the food magazine, Delicious.

A strong contender throughout the season, Chan impressed the judges not only with her innovative and flavourful food but also her ability to remain calm under pressure during the many intense challenges throughout the season.

Among the dishes she wowed judges with in this season was her Red Emperor Fish on Spicy Fragrant Sambal, based on a dish her mother used to cook.

Her parents - both strong cooks - were instrumental in developing  her interest in cooking.

The 29-year-old accountant grew up in Johor Baru before moving to KL in her late teens. She moved to Australia when she was 19.

Congratulations to Chan who hopes to open a restaurant serving "wholesome meals" showcasing Malaysian flavours.

Chan is the second Malaysian to win MasterChef Australia, after Adam Liaw, who was born in Penang, won in Season 2.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/07/24/malaysian-diana-chan-wins-masterchef-australia-trophy/#E2jp3R3GkKtWcbL7.99

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